In what way did this symbol once connect to something Errol once considered doing, but never did?
— Tim
Author Archive
Eighty Years Ago — 4/17/1937 — The Producers
18
Apr
Los Angeles Evening Herald Express – Jimmy Starr – April 17, 1937
Hollywood is full of producers. The actual producers of films seen on the country’s
screens are unknown to the movie fans. The producers of the films which are never
seen in theaters are world famous.
The latest Hollywood paradox involves the growing fad of 16mm motion pictures. Inspired
by the candid camera, to which many stars remain loyal, the movie star amateur has
progressed to the point where his 16mm productions show all the “production values” of
their own starring vehicles.
…
A dozen high ranking stars in Hollywood, among them Wallace Beery, Robert Montgomery,
Claudette Colbert and Errol Flynn have turned “producer,” showing their films to a small,
select group of friends. Flynn, by the way, took his movie camera to Spain with him. In
addition to filming over there he also goes in for natural history dramas, his prize being
the courtship of the tarantula.
Is that the tarantula in the background, lying on the boat deck above?
— Tim
Four Score Years Ago — 4/15/1937 — Barcelona
17
Apr
Hollywood Citizen News – Elizabeth Yeaman – April 15, 1937
The Hollywood Reporter today carries a remarkable story titled
“Barcelona Greets Errol Flynn.” The story carries a Barcelona date line,
but there is no indication of the actual source of the interview. I quote
it in part: “When Errol Flynn arrived in Barcelona he was greeted by the
commissioner of public spectacles, J. Carner Ribalta, who introduced him
to the commissioner of propaganda of the Catalonian government and all
facilities were accorded him. In an interview with the press, Flynn said
his visit to Spain was prompted by a desire to ascertain the truth regarding
conditions there.
“Asked by the press boys what was the general impression in the United States
about the war, he replied, ‘That’s it. The confusing news and the fact that
all the American press is in the hands of powerful ‘trusts’ made me decide to
take this trip to see with my own eyes what is really happening and write a series
of articles for publication.’
“Is is true that money has been collected in Hollywood to help the Spanish government?”
asked the reporters. “Yes,’ said the actor. “Fredric Marsh, James Cagney, and I were the
initiators, and $1,500,000 has been raised so far.’
Flynn was accompanied by his old friend, Dr. Herman F. Erben, a well known member of
the American Communist Party.”
— Tim
Eighty Years Ago — 4/13/1937 — Queen Mary
13
Apr
Hollywood Citizen News
Elizabeth Yeaman
April 13, 1937
Errol Flynn cables Warners that he will sail aboard the Queen Mary Friday,
and will report as soon as possible
for his picture, The Perfect Specimen, with Miriam Hopkins.
Then he may exhibit his battle scars, if any, to back up his tales about seeing action on the Spanish front.
— Tim
An “Errol Flynn Stadium”?
09
Apr
A new AFL stadium in Tasmania? – Maybe an “Errol Flynn Stadium”?
Will fans travel the yellow tint road?
— Tim
Eighty Years Ago – 4/6/1937 – “Urban”/Livvie
07
Apr
“Urban”/Livvie at its finest.
Los Angeles Evening Herald Express – Harrison Carroll – April 6, 1937
At the time of the Madrid incident–when a machine gun bullet creased his
forehead–Errol Flynn is supposed to have been accompanied by Dr. Harmine
F. Urban (sic), expert in tropical diseases. If so, it was not the first time
the two had been in a tight spot together. They were once ambushed by natives
on the Sepia (sic) River in New Guinea and it was motion pictures taken of Flynn
in this fight that won him his first screen test and role in the British picture,
In the Wake of the Bounty.
Olivia De Havilland, who was Flynn’s screen sweetheart in Captain Blood and The Charge
of the Light Brigade was driving down Hollywood Boulevard when she saw headlines about
his being shot.
She told me yesterday: “I nearly ran into a street car.”
— Tim
Eighty Years Ago – 4/5/1937 – Errol
05
Apr
Los Angeles Evening Herald Express – April 5, 1937
FLYNN, WITH FACE CREASED BY BULLET, ON WAY TO VALENCIA
It was a close shave, but Errol Flynn today survived his first taste of off-the-screen warfare
with his swoon-provoking features enhanced, if possible, by the crease of a machine-gun bullet.
The Captain of Captain Blood and the leader of the Charge of the Light Brigade was wounded
on the left side of his face while on a tour of the University City front in Northwestern Madrid, the
only point where the rebels have a foothold within the capital.
Friends say the bullet passed dangerously close to Flynn’s left eye. He was given first aid at the
hospital, and left for Valencia yesterday morning.
ACTOR WARNING TO KEEP OUT OF SPAIN RECALLED BY STUDIO
Officials at Warner Brothers Studios hated to say “I told you so” – but they recalled today a stern warning
given to adventurous Errol Flynn before he left here Feb 22 last.
The 27-year-old actor was warned not to go into revolt-torn Spain, studio executives said. Furthermore, they
said, when they heard he was bound for Spain, they cabled him in Paris to return here at once and start work
on a picture.
Today the studio received with consternation reports that the young favorite had been wounded while watching
a battle near Madrid.
— Tim
Eighty Years Ago – 4/5/1937 – Lili
05
Apr
Los Angeles Evening Herald Express – April 5, 1937
LILI DAMITA MAY FLY TO WOUNDED ERROL FLYNN
All Lili Damita is sure of today is that she must get post-haste to the side
of her wounded husband, Errol Flynn — by airplane if possible.
After a night of frantic worry over the fate of the handsome actor-adventurer
as the result of an alarmist telephone call from a London friend saying Flynn
had been killed near Madrid, Miss Damita planned to ask the foreign office for
a special permit to fly to Spain.
The actress poured out her thanks in a torrent of emotional words when she was
informed that latest information said that Flynn had been only slightly wounded
and had left Madrid for Valencia.
(Madrid advisers said Flynn was grazed on the head by a machine gun bullet
when he was visiting the University City front.)
In the meantime Miss Damita made frantic efforts to get in touch with Flynn,
planning to defer her departure until she gets direct word from her husband.
Her only worry as she prepared from Leeds Castle in Kent to the foreign office
here was whether the reported injury to Flynn’s handsome Irish face will mar his
film career.
— Tim
Excusez Mon Français
05
Apr
Le retour du Zaca, le célèbre bateau d’Errol Flynn, à Villefranche
www.darse.fr/index.php/souvenirs-du-20eme-siecle/42-le-zaca-ombres-et-lumieres…
— Tim
Flynnster the Prankster
01
Apr
By all accounts, Errol was a consummate, and very prolific prankster. World class, I’m sure. Being that this is April Fools Day, it seems like a perfect time to document and discuss some of Errol’s practical jokes, and alleged practical jokes. Surely there were hundreds, maybe thousands, most now lost forever. There are enough accounts existing, however, for us to get a good flavor of his sensational sense of humor.
My favorite may be one I heard on Hollywood Boulevard from a tour guide a few years back when my son and I attended a TCM Classic Movie Festival. It’s vintage Flynn, something only he could have pulled off with such magnificent flair and humor. … I will post it up later, but, first:
Here’s an untoppable, top tier EFB post by Flynnmaestro King Karl Holmberg. Awesome, Karl. Thanks!
PLEASE POST ALL YOUR FAVORITES!
Here’s an alphabetical list of phrases that may help searches and recollections:
A Parrot in Panama
A Rice Bowl for Stockwell
Arno was a Real Pisser
David Invites a Date for Dinner
Hugh Jorgen
Mickey Visits the Farm
Niven Goes Skiing
Olivia’s Panties
Paul’s Passport
Taxi Driver
The World’s First Living Bracelet
Weekend at Errol’s
— Tim
